The Pennsylvania Game Commission has designated portions of state game lands in Rush Township for a future controlled burn.

“There’s a chance we could do it this spring,” explained Jonathan “Andy” Weaver, a forester in the commission’s southeast region.

The proposed sites are part of State Game Lands 227 and lie off Tuscarora Park Road between Barnesville and Tamaqua. Three parcels containing 71 acres are included in the plan.

When a date is determined, Weaver said the commission will notify the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency. Municipalities, police and fire personnel will then be alerted.

“Most people are very tolerant of fire but they like to know about it in advance,” Weaver said.

A controlled burn, or prescribed fire, works to apply fire at the right place, time and intensity to improve the health and resilience of forests, grasslands and shrub lands, according to information from the commission. They’re planned well in advance and conducted under precise weather conditions by trained crews.

Because burns are weather-dependent, plans and dates can change, Weaver noted. One of the best sources for timing can be found under the “Prescribed Fire” link at https://pagame.maps.arcgis.com.

“We use this map to let everyone know when and where we plan to burn. The symbol will change from ‘Burn Planned’ to ‘Burn Imminent’ when we are sure of the day,” Weaver said.

Last year, the commission cut numerous trees in the game lands in order to increase the size of existing fields. Employees will plant native grasses and wildflowers, and treat the areas with herbicides as needed.

“Controlled burns are a habitat management tool. The PGC manages state game lands for wildlife, and fire is used to improve or maintain those habitats. Fire is usually used in conjunction with other tools such as herbicides, mowing, planting or cutting,” Weaver said.